hummingbirds, wildlife, camping, fishing


Don't Forget to check out Items for your RV at Camping World. Curt Gowdy State Park -named after the well known sportscaster – Wyoming (Cowboy UP) State Parks & Culture Resources. Fishing , Hiking, wildlife, and wildflowers. Three Lakes that are located in the Park are: Crystal Reservoir Granite Reservoir North Crow Reservoir Established in 1971 – Through a lease agreement with Cheyenne WY. It was a favored camping area for the Comanche, Pawnee, Crow, Cheyenne, Arapaho and Sioux. The arrival of the Union Pacific railroad in the 1860’s caused the native Americans to leave the land. It has developed a reputation as a prime area for bird watchers. Beginning in April and early May for many non native birds. The landscape comprises the foothills and mountains halfway between Colorado border, 12 miles to the south and Nebraska border 61 miles east. At the crossroads of I-80 and I-25. It is the true beauty of where the beauty of Wyoming plains meet the mountains. Snowy Range Highway – scenic route - www.wyobest.org


Before you begin your next trip checkout some of our favorite spots Red Feather –elevation 8200 feet - named after an Indian Princess- Tsianina – She studied voice in Denver and made concert tours, even entertaining the troops in France in WW1. Located North West of Fort Collins; going north on highway 287 you’ll travel for about 17 miles then take a left on CR74E for 23 miles. You will find West Lake, Dowdy Lake recreation area, and the town of Red Feather. It is a very relaxed community; one that will give you the feeling of being home again. With a variety of Shops, Motel, and Restaurants. You'll also find the perfect gifts for you collection. As of the end of September 2005 Dowdy Lake recreation area will be closed to camping for 1 year due to remodeling. The idea befind this is to improve it to the same design as West Lake. The roads will be paved and site improvements. Fishing should still be accessible to the west side. This will undoubtedly make the other camp areas more congested. But, in the long run will make camping more plush for this area. So if you are a camper that enjoys roughing it more. Off the beaten path may be your choice. You’ll find plenty of trout fishing, hiking and biking trails along with the beautiful mountain scenery. Hummingbirds are plentiful as is the fresh mountain air. Camping is mainly by reservation only after memorial weekend; unless there are extra sites available, which would be wise to ask the hosts at the entrance to the campgrounds about open sites. Although it is usually full, due to the popularity of the area. You can go to http://www.reserveusa.com/ to get your reservations. You can take a relaxing drive past Red Feather and explore the various roads that will take you to some very pretty scenery. There is Bellaire Lake south (turn south at Pot Belly Restaurant); Camping is also available by first come basis. There you will also find fishing at Bellaire Lake. Along the road is an abundance of columbine flowers; a real treat. But we caution you. Keep your camera ready. To the north you can drive to Crystal Lakes, but you may want to have a 4-wheel drive to do this. There is wildlife along the way and beautiful scenery. West of Red Feathers you find dead mans road. Which will take you on a beautiful mountain drive. If you keep on this road it will wind around and get you to Laramie River road. There you may see moose, elk, and deer, along with all the other little critters. By going south about 22 miles you will come to highway 14; to get back to Fort Collins going east; or if you go west it will take you to Montgomery Pass, Gould, Walden or Steamboat Springs which would be a trip in itself


North Park North Park consists of the surrounding areas of Walden, including Rand and Gould. Medicine Bow, Rabbit Ears, Never Summer and Park mountain ranges surround the areas. Colorado State Forest State Park is located in the east part of North Park just west of Cameron Pass. Elevation being in the 10,000 foot range. Walden is the main business hub for North Park. Just northeast of Walden are the sand dunes where many converge with their 4-wheelers, and sand buggies. Some holidays the sand dunes become a community of its own. Also located northeast of Walden is Lake John - where you will find fishing, along with many trails for hiking and biking. Also great for winter snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Ranger Lakes has several trails. Biking and hiking – Gould trail, Silver trail, and 7-Utes trails among several others. The campground is reservation camping only from Memorial weekend through the summer months. There is also day use areas, where you can access the three lakes by hiking in. These lakes were first built for fish rearing , but now are used for recreational fishing. Fishing is permitted , although one of the lakes is not suitable - temporarily - due to a dam break in the winter months. Other camping areas are the Crags – this area is for tent camping and not suggested to take a camper into. Pines and Aspen campgrounds are just south of Gould, they offer tent and camper sites; these are first come first served campgrounds. There is a KOA campground (reservation sites) just west of Gould. North east of the KOA campground you will find North Michigan Reservoir (also reservation camping). Bockman campground ( reservation camping ). So camping is plentiful in the areas around Gould. Bear are frequent visitors to the area so keeping sites clean is very important. Coolers are to be kept in vehicles or hung from trees. Even empty coolers are tempting to bears. Moose, elk, and deer are also found in the area. Early morning and early evening are the best times to spot Moose near willows, brush, along stream beds, and ponds. Moose blend very well with their surroundings. Scan the willows for out of place shapes, colors, and sounds. Or look for motion, like a flick of an ear, movement of antlers or rustling of brush. Moose are usually mellow animals, but can be aggressive if they sense danger to themselves. Also during the rut or calving seasons feel danger to their young. It is advised to keep a safe distance always.


North Michigan Reservoir is located just north east of the KOA campgrounds in Gould. There you will find plenty of trout fishing and the view is breath taking. There are camping areas on the south side of the reservoir. Bockman campground is just east of the reservoir. To enter you will need to purchase a vehicle pass. 4-wheelers are also permitted on the roads, but the real fun on your 4-wheeler is to explore some of the side roads. Around Bull Mountain there are lots of fun places to drive. But only on 4-wheelers, you wouldn't want to damage your other vehicles. The roads can get a little tricky .


Laramie River Valley and the Rawah’s Take a drive along Laramie River road next time your in the vicinity of Chambers Lake. Wildlife is abundant along the road for viewing. In the early morning or late afternoon you will find moose, deer and other critters browsing for food and relaxation. The trip will start at Highway 14 just before Chambers Lake campground to the east. You will need to turn north toward Glendevey. Along the way you will be able to view the north end of Chambers Lake. Passing by a very scenic view of Chambers Lake; along with the mountainous landscape can be viewed to the west. With Lost Lake nearby; Don’t forget your fishing tackle for some relaxing recreation. The Rawah Mountains are seen to the west. With big game hunting being a favorite in the fall. Off road camping is a favorite in the area also. For a social campground there is Tunnel campground, with some of the luxuries to pamper yourself; you’ll have a water pump for fresh water, and restrooms available; fire pits and picnic tables. Also toward the north end of Laramie River road; turn toward Glendevey you will come to Browns campground. There are numerous trails for your hiking experiences; along with fishing on Laramie River and the various creeks. Or make reservations at the various Dude ranches in the area; for horseback rides on trails and live the real old west. Or just for a drive you will get a variety of landscapes, from thick forest to the open spaces that the mountains provide.


Long Draw Reservoir Long Draw has been one of the real favorite locations on Poudre Canyon. With camping, fishing and hiking, it is one place that you will want to make sure you keep your camera ready and have plenty of film. Moose, elk, deer and other critters roam the area freely. There are various camping sites available. Long Draw campground is located 8 miles south of highway 14, where RV camping and tent sites are available; Grandview is another 2 miles which is tent camping only. From Grandview you may travel another mile for hike in campsites available. There are restrooms at the campgrounds, but trash must be packed out. Also fresh water is available at the campgrounds, which is tested yearly, at the time the campgrounds open. At 10,200 feet, Long Draw Reservoir is usually one of the last high country lakes to lose its ice. The road opened earlier this year; about a week ago. You'll find that the primary fish here are cutthroats and while many guidebooks list its fishing as "poor," anglers who know this lake would like to keep this their secret, of being a good fishing spot. Besides, it’s one of the most beautiful bodies of water in Colorado. The reservoir is set in bighorn sheep country near the boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park, with the Never Summer Mountains reflected in its clear blue water. It’s quiet too; no gasoline-powered boats are allowed, only oars or electric motors. Most cutthroats in the 242-acre lake are 14 inches or so but an 11-pounder was caught there a few years ago. Also bait fishing is forbidden. You'll find Long Draw on Forest Road 156. You might as well sample the fishing at Trap lake and Peterson Lake, when your in the area. Lastly, don’t ignore La Poudre Pass Creek, also known as Long Draw Creek. The Grand Ditch In the slopes of the Never Summer Mountains, the Grand Ditch has captured snowmelt for more than a century. In the present state, the Grand Ditch carries about 40,000 acre feet of water to the east slope of the Rockies ( An acre foot is enough water to meet the needs of a family of four for one year). At the point where the Ditch ends at La Poudre Pass. La Poudre Pass on the Continental Divide lies at the extreme north end of the Colorado River valley at an altitude of 10,175 feet above sea level. At this point , it allows the water to cross the Continental Divide through the mountain pass. The ditch decreases its elevation at a grade of less than 0.2% over its 14 mile length. The water flows from south to north, contrary to the southward flow of the Colorado River in the valley below. From La Poudre Pass the water then flows into Long Draw Reservoir, and from there to the Cache La Poudre River; a wild and scenic route . The Ditch is about 20 feet wide and about 6 feet deep. An unimproved road runs along the outer edge of the Ditch.

		Start your Winterizing here For you that are into RV camping. Your going to want to check out this site for some reminders on winterizing your campers and motor homes. http://www.rverscorner.com/winterize/winterizebook/index.htm I have found this site to be very helpful.